CN101365620A

CN101365620A - Bicycle crankset

Info

Publication number: CN101365620A
Application number: CNA2006800476346A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 米歇尔·加尼耶
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-16
Filing date: 2006-11-09
Publication date: 2009-02-11
Also published as: FR2893303A1; WO2007057544A1; EP1957352A1; JP2009515767A; US20090045600A1

Abstract

A bicycle crankset (1) mounted on the frame (3) of the bicycle, two cranks (7, 9) and at least one chainring (25), the cranks being connected at their axial end (15, 17) by a connecting spindle (31). It is noteworthy in that the connection of the crankset to the frame is provided by means of assembling the axial ends to the frame, thus mechanically relieving the connecting spindle and reducing the dimensions of the connecting spindle and the distance ''e'' between the axial ends. The crankset is also noteworthy in that each crank takes a pedal which is fitted directly to the crank. This helps to reduce the weight of the crankset.

Description

Bicycle crank

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of bicycle crank, described fluted disc for example can be used for the Electrical Bicycle that race bicycle, mountain bike even needs use the fluted disc starter motor.The present invention will be particularly useful for maker and the bicycle dealer uses.

Background technology

Fluted disc rotatably is assemblied on the bicycle framework usually, and bears the rotatablely moving of producing by cyclist's pedal.Rotatablely moving of this fluted disc drives wheel, normally a trailing wheel of bicycle by chain or driving band.

This fluted disc partly comprises two cranks and at least one sprocket wheel (chainring), described sprocket wheel is connected to described crank rigidly, the axial end portion of two cranks interconnects by connecting axle (spindle), described axle is commonly referred to crank shaft, and is contained in the housing of bicycle framework; Described crank is set to be oriented relative to one another to 180 °, and its longitudinal end has pedal separately, causes producing diametral load and tangential force on each crank in the power that applies on the pedal during cyclist's pedal, and described tangential force causes the rotation of sprocket wheel.

Disclose the fluted disc assembly in the bicycle framework in the known following document: US 5,493, and 937; US 4,545, and 691; AT 389,499; US 4,651, and 590; FR 2,465, and 630; DE 93,15, and 940.In described document, by the axial end portion of assembling connection axle or crank, for example utilize the bearing in the housing that is installed in the bicycle framework to articulate, and form the fluted disc assembly in the bicycle framework.According to the type of described assembly, the power that is applied on the crank when pedal directly or indirectly is delivered to the connection axle via the axial end portion of crank.Therefore, connect axle bear by be applied on each crank tangential force and by the tersional stress that causes with the resistance that chain or driving band applied of this sprocket engagement.Described axle is also born the flexure stress that causes by being applied to the diametral load on the crank, and this flexure stress is directly delivered to each end of the connection axle that is rigidly connected on the described crank.

Therefore, this connection axle is subjected to the effect of bending force and twisting resistance consistently during pedal, and each intensity of force changes according to cyclist's usage condition; Therefore, the connection axle of fluted disc is typically designed to by steel and makes at present, and this makes that connecting axle especially has favorable mechanical resistant to bending stresses performance, can avoid axle that the risk of fracture takes place under extreme usage condition.Yet the use of steel has following defective,, has increased the weight of fluted disc that is, thereby has increased the weight of bicycle; This and the producer's who represent all manufacturers, particularly race bicycle one of main target: the weight of reduction bicycle is disagreed.

Crank is installed in the axial end portion that connects axle usually.Therefore, the length of the described connection axle width with the housing of bicycle framework at least is identical, and along with the increase of the width of the axial end portion of two cranks and increase.For the reason of ergonomics (ergonomical), pedal must be separated suitable distance so that comfortable condition is provided and optimizes pedal force for the cyclist.But described distance is still near the length that connects axle, so that cyclist's ankle often scrapes crank during pedal, and therefore causes injured even hemorrhage.

The U.S. the 5th, 493 has proposed a kind of assembly in No. 937 patents, wherein, and the elongation of the axial end portion of the fluted disc in the housing of bicycle framework.Similarly, the U.S. the 4th, 545 has proposed a kind of Connector Clip in No. 691 patents, and described Connector Clip makes the axial end portion of the fluted disc that the housing of bicycle framework is interior extend.Yet, modules of said type require equally between the axial end portion of each crank distance or at interval greater than the width of the housing of bicycle framework, described distance or interval are corresponding to space required between each pedal, and this space is with thinking that the cyclist provides the comfort of pedal and optimizes pedal force.

Summary of the invention

The objective of the invention is to propose a kind of bicycle crank, this fluted disc can reduce the weight of bicycle and avoid damaging the cyclist, thereby eliminates above-mentioned defective.

For realizing this purpose, the present invention relates to a kind of bicycle crank that for example is used for bicycle, this fluted disc is rotatably installed on the framework of described bicycle around S. A., this S. A. is perpendicular to the plane of this framework, described fluted disc comprises: two cranks, described crank are arranged on the both sides on plane of this framework; At least one drive sprocket, a crank in the described crank of described drive sprocket adjacency, and be rigidly connected to this crank, the axial end portion of described crank is connected to the connection axle, this connects the S. A. of the axis of axle corresponding to this fluted disc, during pedal, the tangential force that described connection axle will be applied on the described crank is delivered to sprocket wheel, makes described sprocket wheel rotation; The present invention merits attention part and is: the assembling of this fluted disc on this bicycle is provided with by assembling device, described assembling device is articulated between the framework of the axial end portion of described crank and this bicycle, and the assembling device of described pivot joint comprises: be connected to two installation rings on this framework; Two bearings; The axial end portion of two cranks; And the device that is used to stop the sliding motion of described two cranks, described bearing cone is installed on the described installation ring, and the outer ring of described bearing is installed on the axial end portion of crank.Therefore, on the one hand mechanically alleviate the load of this connection axle, and reduced the size of this connection axle, reduced the distance between the axial end portion of crank on the other hand.

Advantageously, because by eliminating flexure stress, it no longer is applied on the described axle but is applied on the framework of bicycle, so the present invention can use softer material to design the connection axle, therefore can use material light and anti-tersional stress to design axle, thereby help to reduce the weight of bicycle.In addition, design according to fluted disc of the present invention has following advantage, promptly, the axial end portion of crank is directly installed on the housing of framework or is installed on the Connector Clip on the housing of this framework, therefore reduced the distance between two cranks, this helps to reduce the size of axle, and can improve bicycle the ergonomics characteristic, be released in pedal cycle period cyclist's the shared space of ankle, thereby reduce injured risk.

Description of drawings

To manifest other advantage and feature of the present invention from following description, following description is carried out based on the limiting examples of the present invention of reference accompanying drawing, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows the axial longitudinal section according to fluted disc of the present invention that is assemblied on the bicycle framework;

Fig. 2 shows the decomposition view of the fluted disc shown in Fig. 1 separately; And

Fig. 3 shows pedal especially and is assemblied in according to the cutaway view under the pattern on the crank of fluted disc of the present invention.

The specific embodiment

Can be applied to the type of race bicycle or mountain bike especially as the bicycle crank 1 of subject content of the present invention, especially those are used to take part in game or the bicycle of high strength type of service.Fluted disc 1 shown in Fig. 1 is installed on the framework 3 of bicycle, and can be around S. A. 5 with respect to this framework rotation, this S. A. is perpendicular to the longitudinal plane " P " of the framework 3 of bicycle, under normal operating condition, when the cyclist was in ride position on bicycle, described plane " P " overlapped with cyclist's profile (sagittal plane).

Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, fluted disc 1 comprises two cranks 7,9, and described crank 7,9 comprises respectively:

crank body

11,13, and described crank body is as throw of lever when cyclist's pedal;

Axial end portion

15,17, it is arranged on the S. A. 5 of fluted disc 1; And

longitudinal end

19,21, being connected with pedal 23 on it, described pedal is for example as shown in Figure 3.In preferred and non-restrictive example, the pedal of use can be the pedal described in French Patent (FRP) FR 2846724.Crank 7,9 is separately positioned on the both sides of plane " P " with identical distance, and around S. A. 5 180 degree (180 °) that misplace relative to one another; Thus, the some antisymmetry (antisymmetrical) of two cranks 7,9 about being limited by plane " P " and S. A. 5.

Fluted disc 1 also comprises at least one sprocket wheel that centers on S. A. 5 25, in order to drive this fluted disc; This sprocket wheel for example comprises: at least one gear (toothed wheel) 27,29, be engaged with driving chain or driving band on it, in the rotary course of this sprocket wheel that produces by cyclist's pedal, described driving chain or driving band drive this bicycle rotatably at least one take turns, be preferably the driving trailing wheel.Sprocket wheel 25 is arranged on the plane parallel with plane " P ", and is adjacent in the crank 7,9 one, is preferably the crank 9 in abutting connection with the right side.In preferred and non-restrictive example, the sprocket wheel of use is the sprocket wheel described in 05, No. 00505 patent application of French FR.

As shown in fig. 1, two cranks 7,9 are connected to each other and are linked together by connecting axle 31, it is coaxial with the S. A. 5 of fluted disc 1 that this connects axle 31; Being connected axle with this at the

axial end portion

15,17 of described crank forms and connects.Sprocket wheel 25 is connected to crank 7,9 rigidly and connects axle 31, and in preferred and non-restrictive example, this sprocket wheel is connected on one of them of described two cranks.Thus, connecting crank 7,9 rigidly, connect the assembly of axle 31 and sprocket wheel 25, and make it with same rotating speed rotation.

In the process of cyclist's pedal,

longitudinal end

19,21 bearing radial force and the tangential forces of two cranks 7,9; The tangential force that is applied on the

longitudinal end

19,21 is passed to connection axle 31, and this connection axle is born the tersional stress effect, and this tersional stress is passed to sprocket wheel 25 subsequently, thereby makes sprocket wheel can rotate and drive driving chain or driving band.

It should be noted that fluted disc 1 comprises the

axial end portion

15,17 that is articulated in two cranks 7,9 and the assembling device between the framework 3.Described assembling device is set to: the

axial end portion

15,17 of crank 7,9 is placed in two ends of the housing of framework 3, two ends of described framework 3 are inserted into the

axial end portion

15,17 of crank 7,9 respectively, make framework 3 can directly support the power that is applied on the crank 7,9 so on the one hand, the

axial end portion

15,17 that on the other hand can removable crank 7,9 and the position of body 11 make it to locate and be attached in the width of housing of framework 3.The design goal of described fluted disc is: during pedal,

longitudinal end

19,21 diametral loads that born of each crank are delivered to framework 3.This design-calculated merits attention part and is: during pedal, alleviate the load that connects axle 31 by restriction in the power that connects on the axle 31; In fact, connect axle 31 and be mounted freely in the housing 33 that becomes framework 3 voluntarily, and only bear tersional stress, described tersional stress is corresponding with the tangential force of sprocket wheel 25 on being delivered at least one crank.

Stress on the connection axle 31 of fluted disc 1 is reduced to only has tersional stress, thereby has following advantage, promptly, can utilize the described axle 31 of the material manufacture lighter than steel, in preferred and non-restrictive example, use can suitably be born the aluminum alloy of tersional stress and be made described axle.

The part that merits attention of this assembling device that articulates between crank 7,9 and framework 3 is that also this design can reduce

axial end portion

15,17 distance separating " e " of described crank, as shown in fig. 1; Crank 7,9 directly is assemblied on the

lateral ends

35,37 of framework 3, this makes it possible to reduce to connect the length of axle 31, because described crank is supported by framework 3, therefore axle 31 need not to support crank again, thereby the effect of axle just will rotatablely move and be delivered to sprocket wheel 25, and keep connecting with crank 7,9, keep the leaning angle (pitch angle) between the crank 7,9 simultaneously.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, in preferred and non-restrictive example, this assembling device that crank 7,9 is connected on the framework 3 comprises pivotly: two

installation rings

39,41 on the framework 3; Bearing 43,45;

Axial end portion

15,17; And the device that is used to stop the sliding motion of described crank.

The

lateral ends

35,37 of

installation ring

39,41 by being threaded onto framework 3.For this reason, in

lateral ends

35,37 are provided with negative thread, and

installation ring

39,41 have first thread head 47 respectively, 49, described

first thread head

47,49 end at shoulder 51 respectively, 53, described shoulder is as the stopper section on the framework 3,

installation ring

39,41 the

second end

55,57 are placed in bearing 43 respectively, 45

inner ring

59,61, and has a corresponding diameter, and bearing 43,45

outer ring

63,65 are installed in crank 7 respectively, 9 axial end portion 15, in 17, described

axial end portion

15,17 have

hole

67,69, the diameter in described hole and

outside race

63,65 diameter is corresponding, so that can hold described outer ring.Preferably, the condition that bearing 43,45 is installed in

hole

67,69 and on the

installation ring

39,41 and those of ordinary skill in the art known, to be used for bearings mounted business practice (trade practice) relevant.

In the of the present invention preferred and non-limiting example shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, connect the

axial end portion

15,17 that axle 31 comprises crank 7,9, described axial end portion extends towards the inboard of the housing 33 of framework 3 along S. A. 5, two

extensions

71,73 have connecting

device

75,77, and described connecting

device

75,77 can be delivered to twisting resistance on this sprocket wheel and make this sprocket wheel rotation.Preferably, described connecting

device

75,77 is realized by a plurality of grooves, the end of one of them extension 71 forms the shape of the conical mandrel 75 that has groove, the end of this second extension 73 forms the shape of the conical socket 77 that has groove, and the protuberance that described conical mandrel 75 constitutes engages with the recess that described conical socket 77 constitutes.

Stop the device of described crank 7,9 sliding motions to make described crank can keep the state of assembling and connecting, guaranteed fluted disc 1 is assemblied on the bicycle framework 3 suitably.Described device is the extension 71 by the protrusion of the axial end portion 15 of crank 7, it is axle 75 and realizing, described extension 71 is a hollow, and portion 79 is provided with negative thread within it, inner 79 be used for the ccontaining recessed extension 73 that passes the axial end portion 17 of second crank 9, be the stop screw 81 of the inside 83 of jack (hub) 77, the head 85 of this screw 81 is resisted against on the inside 83 of described extension 73 on the formed shoulder 87, make that two

axial end portions

15,17 can keep being pressed against each other when screw 81 is assemblied on inner 79.In a preferred embodiment of assembling, this fluted disc comprises prefabricated packing ring 86, and as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, this packing ring can retrain bearing 43,45, and can absorb the various production tolerances of framework 3 and crank 7,9.

This connection axle 31 is that directly the

axial end portion

15,17 by crank 7,9 forms, and therefore helps to reduce the use amount as the material of the fluted disc 1 of theme of the present invention, thereby can reduce its weight.Yet can expect, also can design the connection axle dividually, described connection axle forms one and engages in the

axial end portion

15,17 of crank 7,9, in the case, by making described axle have suitable shape, and it is carried out machinework, and make described axle can realize and above-mentioned axle identical functions.

Axial end portion

15,17 is included in not shown caliberating device (indexing means), and this caliberating device allows the

body

11,13 with crank 7,9 to be adjusted into to be 180 ° relative to each other.In preferred and non-restrictive example, described caliberating device comprises the groove that is positioned on axle 75 and the jack 77, groove on the described axle 75 for example has at least one tooth different with the width of other teeth, and the groove on the described jack 77 has and the corresponding hollow bulb of the width of described tooth, the described tooth of described designing requirement is relative with described hollow bulb, so that the groove on the axle 75 engages with groove on the jack 77.

Extension 71 on the axial end portion 15 of crank 7 has external diameter " D1 ", and at design-calculated in the preferred and non-restrictive example, this external diameter " D1 " equals the external diameter " D2 " of the extension 73 on the axial end portion 17 of crank 9.Described external diameter " D1, D2 " is less than the internal diameter " D3 " of

installation ring

39,41, so that

extension

71,73 can not had the inside that frictionally is inserted into described

ring

39,41 respectively.

According to preferred embodiment, sprocket wheel 25 is installed on the

axial end portion

15,17 of a crank in two cranks 7,9, and described crank has the external diameter 88 that has heel teeth (toothing) 89, and described heel teeth is used for the ccontaining sprocket wheel 25 in-to-in teeth 91 that are formed on.Utilize fastening nut 93 to stop the motion of described sprocket wheel, this fastening nut 93 is spirally connected (screwing) on the screw thread 95 that is formed on equally on the external diameter 88.The part that merits attention of described fit is: this fit makes it possible to the angle with respect to crank 7,9 adjusting sprocket wheels 25.

According to this design-calculated optimal way, the tooth 91 of sprocket wheel 25 has identical tooth pitch with heel teeth 89 on one of crank 7,9, each described

heel teeth

91,89 does not have locating dowel pin, the tooth pitch of sprocket wheels 25 can be revised with the shape of the described sprocket wheel 25 of box lunch and when non-circular with respect to crank 7,9, thereby adjusting can be farthest adapted to according to cyclist's morphology and the position on bicycle thereof to fluted disc.The type of described sprocket wheel has for example been described in 05, No. 00505 patent application of FR.

Under this design-calculated preferred implementation shown in Fig. 3, the pedal 23 of bicycle is installed on the

longitudinal end

19,21 of two cranks 7,9 by pivot link 97 by direct assembling; This pivot link 97 comprises at least one bearing 99, and described bearing 99 is directly installed between pedal 23 and the crank 7,9.The end of each pedal has quill shaft 101, and the external diameter 103 of this quill shaft 101 is contained in the inner ring 105 of bearing 99.In the hole 109 that insert on the

axial end portion

19,21 that is formed on crank 7,9 outer ring 107 of described bearing.The internal diameter 111 of the quill shaft 101 of pedal 23 is provided with negative thread, and by being spirally connected the ccontaining screw 113 that is used to stop the sliding motion of pedal 23 on bearing 99, in the rundown process of described screw 113, the shoulder 115 of quill shaft 101 and the head 117 of stop screw 111 are supported on respectively on two lateral ends of bearing 99.Described design-calculated merits attention part and is: avoided additional assembly unit, thereby helped to reduce the weight of fluted disc of the present invention.

Those of ordinary skill in the art can conceive multiple other the embodiment that obtains this fluted disc under the condition that does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. bicycle crank (1) that for example is used for bicycle, this fluted disc is rotatably installed on the framework (3) of described bicycle around S. A. (5), described S. A. is perpendicular to the plane " P " of this framework (3), described fluted disc (1) comprising: two cranks (7,9), described crank are arranged on the both sides on plane " P " of this framework (3); At least one drive sprocket (25), described drive sprocket adjacency also is rigidly connected to described crank (7,9) crank in, described crank (7,9) longitudinal end (19,21) be equipped with pedal (23), and described crank is by its axial end portion (15,17) be connected to connection axle (31), this connects the S. A. (5) of the axis of axle corresponding to this fluted disc (1), during pedal, described connection axle (31) will be applied to described crank (7,9) tangential force on is delivered to described sprocket wheel (25), make described sprocket wheel (25) rotation, it is characterized in that, the assembling of this fluted disc (1) on described bicycle realizes by assembling device, described assembling device is articulated in described crank (7,9) axial end portion (15,17) and between the framework of described bicycle (3), the described assembling device of pivot joint comprises: be connected to two installation rings (39 on this framework (3), 41); Two bearings (43,45); The axial end portion (15,17) of described two cranks (7,9); And the device that is used to stop the sliding motion of described two cranks (7,9), the inner ring (59,61) of described bearing (43,45) is installed on the described installation ring (39,41), the outer ring of described bearing (63,65) is installed on the axial end portion (15,17) of described crank (7,9), thereby mechanically alleviate on the one hand this connections axle (31) load and so reduced the size of this connection axle, reduced the distance " e " between the axial end portion (15,17) of described crank (7,9) on the other hand.

2. according to the described bicycle crank of aforementioned claim (1), it is characterized in that described axial end portion (15,17) has the hole (67,69) of the outer ring (63,65) that is used for ccontaining described bearing (43,45).

3. according to each the described bicycle crank (1) in the above claim, it is characterized in that, this connection axle (31) comprises the axial end portion (15,17) of described crank (7,9), the axial end portion (15) of the crank (7) in the described crank comprises the extension (71) that forms the conical mandrel (75) that has groove, the axial end portion (17) of second crank (9) in the described crank comprises the extension (73) that forms the conical socket (77) that has groove, and described conical mandrel (75) engages with described conical socket (77).

4. according to the described bicycle crank of aforementioned claim (1), it is characterized in that, the axial end portion (15,17) of described crank (7,9) comprises caliberating device, this caliberating device is made of the conical socket (77) that this conical mandrel (75) and this have groove, and this caliberating device can be adjusted into the body (11,13) of described crank (7,9) and becomes 180 degree (180 °) relative to each other.

5. according to claim 3 or 4 described bicycle cranks (1), it is characterized in that, describedly be used to stop the device of the sliding motion of described two cranks (7,9) to form by lock bolt (81), this lock bolt (81) is supported in the jack that has groove (73) of this axial end portion (17), and is screwed onto on the axle that has groove (71) of this axial end portion (15).

6. according to each the described bicycle crank (1) in the above claim, it is characterized in that, the axial end portion (15,17) of a crank in the described crank (7,9) comprises heel teeth (89) and screw thread (95), heel teeth (91) engagement on described heel teeth (89) and this sprocket wheel (25), and described screw thread (95) is received on the described crank (7,9) by the fastening nut (93) that is spirally connected this sprocket wheel (25).

7. according to each the described bicycle crank (1) in the above claim, it is characterized in that, utilize bearing (99) that described pedal (23) is directly installed in the described longitudinal end (19,21), thereby help to reduce the weight of described fluted disc (1).

8. according to the described bicycle crank of aforementioned claim (1), it is characterized in that, the outer ring (107) of described bearing (99) is installed in the inside of the longitudinal end (19,21) of described crank (7,9), the inner ring (105) of described bearing (99) is installed on the described pedal (23), by with described pedal (23) thread locking on described bearing (99), and described pedal (25) is stopped on the described crank (7,9), going up directly at described pedal (23), formation is spirally connected.